THe biggest ever New Year's Eve concert is in the works to help mark the end of what has been a successful year for The Gathering.

Last year's Countdown Concert on College Green saw crowds of more than 10,000 pour on to the streets of Dublin, with over 1.3 million people tuning in from home on their televisions.

This year's countdown event has seen several changes to the format, with more focus on getting overseas acts to perform to boost the number of visitors who will come to the capital to ring in 2014.

A string of well-known names have been secured for the musical line-up including British group Madness, who will headline the show, as well as The Sugababes, The Strypes and Irish singer Ryan Sheridan.

RTE presenters Sinead Kennedy and Daithi O Se have taken over hosting duties from Miriam O'Callaghan and a procession of light will also take place for the first time through the streets of Dublin city to cater for children as well as adults.

Tickets are priced €25 for the Three NYE Dublin Countdown Concert and are on sale now at www.3nyedublin.ie.